Wildlife Sanctuary

Currently In: Victor, ID
Moving south to Colorado with a short stop in Rawlins, WY


We spent one day wandering around West Yellowstone, MT just outside the National Park.   Before we went to the refuge, we walked around and learned a little about this town's beginnings.
West Yellowstone grew after the Union Pacific Railroad was built near the Park to support the tourism.  The old depot is now the Historical Museum.

This guy sits outside ready to greet everyone. There are all types of wildlife artwork around town.

The Dining Lodge was an impressive size.  It fed all the tourists as well as railroad workers back in the day but doesn't appear to be used at all anymore.

This is the generator facility that housed first gas, and then diesel, engines for the railroad.

The historic walking tour was much longer, but we decided to switch gears and spend some time at the Grizzly and Wolf Center.  All of the animals at the Center were determined to be unable to live in the wild.  They were brought to West Yellowstone to help the public learn more about the animals and their habitat.
The bears are released into the outdoor habitat at specific times.  When one group is finished, the next group comes out.  The backstory for each grizzly bear is posted - for the most part their past interaction with humans contributed to their inability to live in their natural habitat.

Sam

Corum, Roosevelt and Grant

Roosevelt and Grant are brothers playing in the pond

This bear's name is 101.  She was tracked in the wild for many years and her tag number was 101!  She is getting up there in years now, but still enjoys the pond.

Manufacturers of bear proof containers send them to this Center to determine if a bear can destroy it.  It's the only place in the country to provide this service.  Corum working on this container below.  He eventually rips it open to get a reward - a piece of fish!  Not bear proof...

There were also 3 bald eagles that were rescued.

As well as a turkey vulture, rough legged hawk, and other birds of prey .

We also watched a really informative video about re-introducing wolves back into Yellowstone.  Summit was part of the Granite Pack but failed to form his own pack when the alpha wolf pushed him out.

Since we spent so much time looking for these animals at the Park, it was interesting to see them up close and learn more about their life in the wild.